SANTA ANA, Calif. (October 10, 2013) – Discovery Science Center, in partnership with the California State University, Fullerton College of Engineering and Computer Science (CSUF), hosts the 6th annual Pumpkin Launch on November 2, 2013. Visitors of all ages are invited to the free event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; the event will take place rain or shine.

This free event, sponsored locally by Time Warner Cable, ScholarShare and Orange County Produce,
offers a variety of family-friendly activities for visitors to take
part in. Engineering enthusiasts can watch various homemade trebuchets
launch pumpkins through the air during the competition. For a more
hands-on lesson on projectiles, children are invited to build their own
mini catapults with popsicle sticks and launch marshmallows. Other
activities include pop-rocket building and a whiffle ball catapult
station. Plus, a medieval showcase will present costumes, weapons,
weaving materials and other replicated artifacts from the medieval ages.

“The goal of Pumpkin Launch is multifaceted,” states Joe Adams,
president of Discovery Science Center. “It provides young people the
opportunity to visit a university campus, interact with student
engineers and consider an academic and lifelong career in a STEM related
field, all while watching fruit fly through the air!”

This event is designed to give adolescents the opportunity to see what a
college campus is like and to introduce them to academics in STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) related industries. Families
not only get to enjoy time together, but they can learn about the
science of flying pumpkins and other objects in a creative and
interactive way.

"Launching a pumpkin and hitting a target is not a trivial engineering
problem,” said Raman M. Unnikrishnan, dean of the College of Engineering
and Computer Science. “It requires a lot of analysis of the launch
trajectory and the predicted the point of impaction," explained
Unnikrishnan.
"Secondly, one has to design the equipment, such as a trebuchet, to
launch the pumpkin, and then build the device. Design, implementation
and, finally, the execution of a complex task are the fundamental
elements of any engineering design project — and the Pumpkin Launch is
no different."
Orange County Produce – a family business proudly practicing both
conventional and certified organic farming – are the proud sponsors of
the pumpkins used for the launching competition. Time Warner Cable is
sponsoring the program as part of the company’s Connect A Million Minds
initiative, a five-year, $100 million commitment to inspire the next
generation of problem solvers by connecting young people to the wonder
of STEM.

Pumpkin Launch is a free event and is located on the campus of
California State University, Fullerton. Registration is available online
at www.discoverycube.org/pumpkinlaunch.

About California State University, FullertonA comprehensive, regional university with a global outlook, Cal
State Fullerton enrolls more than 38,000 students and offers 109 degree
programs in eight colleges. Accredited by the Western Association of
Schools and Colleges, Cal State Fullerton is among the largest
universities in the 23-campus California State University system. It is
No. 1 in California and eighth in the nation for the number of
bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanics and eleventh nationally for the
number of bachelor’s degrees awarded to minority students. Learn more
about the university on the CSUF website: www.fullerton.edu.

About Discovery Science CenterFor 30 years, Discovery Science Center (DSC) has been a non-profit
organization dedicated to educating young minds, assisting educators
teach science and increasing public understanding of science,
technology, engineering and math through interactive exhibits and
programs. With one of the largest education outreach programs in the
county and an unparalleled approach at creating immersive, game-based
exhibits, DSC is revolutionizing how educational content is delivered.
Throughout the year, guests can take the Eco Challenge and become a
green superhero or feel the power of a simulated rocket engine launch.
Traveling exhibits and annual events such as Spooky Science and
Bubblefest throughout the year ensure that there is always something new
to discover. In 2012, DSC was named one of the ten “Most Trusted Brands” in
Orange County and in 2013 was awarded the National Medal of Service from
the Institute of Museum and Library Services. DSC owns and operates the
Taco Bell Discovery Science Center based in Santa Ana, California and
will be opening a second facility in Los Angeles in 2014. For more
information, call (714) 542-CUBE or visit www.discoverycube.org.